Unit / Lesson Plan Title:
How Does Density Affects Weather?
Primary Subject
Weather
Integrated Subjects
Math: construct graphs and calculations
Social Studies: weather patterns in in other
countries
LA: newspaper articles, writing
Art: diagrams / illustrations
Technology: Keynotes presentations, Vernier Web
Quests & temperature probe
Grade Level
7th grade
Length of unit / lesson
3-7 days
Research Sources
Internet:
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wdensity.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wbarocx.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/
earth/oceanography/ocean-current.htm
http://www.ussartf.org/predicting_weather.htm
http://education.arm.gov/teacher-lounge/lessons/airdensity
Textbook (Glencoe: North Carolina Science - 7th)
*Ch 16 & Ch 17
*Atmosphere Riddles: http://teachertech.rice.edu/
Participants/louviere/riddles.html
* Does Air Have Mass Activity: http://
www5.mgsd.k12.nc.us/staffsites/jpendleton/
Great_Barrier_Reef/Does_Air_Have_Mass.html
*
Unit / Lesson Summary
Students will investigate Earthʼs atmospheric layers
in relation to air density. Students will understand
how to predict air density and how it affects weather.
Lastly, how mass and / or volume affects density.
Unit / Lesson Plan Title:
How Does Density Affects Weather?
Key Vocabulary
density, mass, volume, temperature, air pressure, air
mass, atmosphere, high pressure, low pressure,
frontal boundaries, troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, exosphere,
ozone layer, conduction, convection, jet stream, land
breeze, weather, humidity, warm fronts, cold fronts,
occluded fronts, stationary fronts
Essential Standard /
NCSCOS
7.E.1.1, & 7. E.1.3
3.01, 3.05
Essential Questions
1. Why / How is the Earthʼs atmosphere has layers,
2. How does air density affect weather conditions?
3. What is density?
4. Can density be measured?
Content Outcomes
1. Students will be able to predict how air density
affects weather conditions.
2. Students will be able to explain how/why Earthʼs
atmosphere has layers.
3. Students will be able to explain how changes in
mass and / or volume affects density
Process Skills Outcome
Materials / Resources
Needed
1. To be able to measure volume and mass and
calculate density.
2. To be able to communicate observations
effectively.
3. To be able to create and interpret data.
4. To be able to predict relative density with various
explains.
textbook, internet, videos, paper for foldable/
organizer, markers, How Much Air is There - Lab
Activity, Density: Inquiry based lab activity (Venier
Probe),
Density Lab: Vernier Lab Quest, temperature
probe-ware, hot plate, balance, beaker, water,
Keynote presentation, article - “Understanding Air
Density and its Effect”, assessments
Unit / Lesson Plan Title:
How Does Density Affects Weather?
Exploration / Engagement
Activities
Density Lab(s)
Density Review Stations
Atmosphere Poster
Atmosphere Web Quest
Atmosphere Riddles
Factors of Weather Web Quest
Weather Web Quest
Air Masses Foldable (graphic organizer)
Does Air Have Mass? Activity
**See attached for daily lesson plans**
Accommodations for
Differentiated Instruction
tiered assignments
consult EC specialist
modified assessments (per IEP)
Cross Curricular
Integration
Math: 7.N.S.2 , 7.E.E.3 & 7.E.E.4
SS: 7.G.1.1 , 7.G.1.3 & 7.G.2.1
LA: Informal Text - 1,2,3,4, & 5
Writing - 2,3,5, & 6
Assessment:
Performance -based:
-observe correct usage of science equipment
*Formative
*Summative
Formative:
-foldable(s)
-activity sheet(s)
-Creative writing
-whiteboard review
-picture drawings
-Oral: Q & A
-poster
-lab write-ups
Summative:
Post Test
Extension Activities
water in the atmosphere,
airplanes - air pressure and time travel,
density in various liquids (ie. salt water),
teacher demonstrations - on pressure differences
(gas/air)
Unit / Lesson Plan Title:
How Does Density Affects Weather?
Created by
Dawn Hunter, Dianne Lee, Laura Murdoch, Wendy
Wisdom
Email
hunterdm@rss.k12.nc.us
leedl@rss.k12.nc.us
murdochlo@rss.k12.nc.us
wisdomadamenkowg@rss.k12.nc.us